Nathan Thomas is now a marked man says Hartlepool boss Craig Hignett

Nathan Thomas: Come under close attention from opposition defences. Picture by HOWARD ROE/AHPIX.com

Published:07:00Friday 12 August 2016

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Craig Hignett has told Nathan Thomas to “do a Messi or Ronaldo”.

The Hartlepool United forward has been the most fouled player in the opening two matches of the season.

He’s a known quanity now and people will target him – that’s something he’s going to have to deal with

CRAIG HIGNETT

And the Pools boss has warned the 21-year-old there will be more of the same to come for the in-form attacker and implored him to get pick himself up and damage opponents with his skill.

“Nathan’s a known quantity now and people will target him – that’s something he’s going to have to deal with,” said Hignett, who will be looking to Thomas to do the business at Eexter City tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

“He’ll get kicked, he’ll get whacked, he can’t let it affect him.

“All the good players get on with it and don’t moan about it – do you ever see Messi moaning?

“Ronaldo might but then he will go and bang a hat-trick in. If Nathan gets to that point he will be all right.”

Thomas has started the season in vintage form.

He was brought down last Saturday for the Pools penalty after being involved in a neat exchange with Nicky Featherstone and Lewis Alessandra, while he gave U’s right-back Richard Brindley the proverbial good going over.

That play came as the left-side midfielder in a 4-4-2 while on Tuesday at Deepdale in the EFL Cup he was deployed slightly higher up the park in a 4-3-3.

Again, he caused problems for the Preston North End defence, drawing a number of fouls.

“People know Nathan now and what he is all about,” said the boss.

“Teams look out for him. Sometimes he gets past two and then tries to beat three or four, that’s the level of confidence he has at the moment.